Flor Wine & Grocer, Burleigh Heads: Flor Wine & Grocer is all about the authentic and the vital – wine, deli goods and a curated selection of snacks and groceries. The team go to great lengths to source ethical and local produce from the Gold Coast and Northern Rivers alongside handmade small goods from around Australia and specialty pantry items from abroad. As for the sips, Flor curates an engaging line-up of natural, minimal intervention, new wave and classic wines crafted and distributed by inspiring, thoughtful small producers and distributors from around the world. If you list wine, cheese and assorted chilli-based condiments as some of your favourite things, go ahead and get acquainted with Burleigh’s purveyor of gourmet provisions.
The Oxley 1823, Nobby Beach: If you’re on the hunt for a true one-stop-shop, The Oxley 1823 delivers in spades. Described as ‘the Gold Coast’s newest culinary and lifestyle destination’, The Oxley is anchored by a village grocer, which stocks everything from budget-friendly Black & Gold lines through to premium farm-to-plate beef. Chilling on ice you’ll also find Mooloolaba king prawns, which are delivered daily, alongside deli meats that are sliced to order, mountains of cheese, fresh produce, flowers and even some heat and eat meals that are prepared by the venue’s own onsite chef.
Barbosa Fine Food Deli, Robina: With shelves upon shelves of gourmet goods set to make your mouth water, Barbosa is an institution. In fact, the long-standing deli is so popular that it outgrew its original home and has taken over the corner site that was formerly home to The Bavarian at The Kitchens, Robina Town Centre. Barbosa features a European-leaning selection including a clutch of wines and ready-made meals. All of the essentials really.
Russian Delights, Burleigh Heads: It’s is a real IYKYK kind of place, but if you’re seeking out proper European smallgoods and deli products, and need your fix of pirozhki, pierogi and pelmeni, Russian Delights is where you want to go. Tucked in deep in the Ern Harley industrial precinct, Russian Delights is stocked with house-smoked and house-cured meats like salami, sausages, bacon, kranskys and more, alongside cheeses and a heap of imported pantry products and treats.
Tugun Market Co, Tugun: A stalwart on the southern Gold Coast, Tugun Market Co has been supplying the local community with fresh fruit and veg for years. Recently, the family-owned-and-operated grocer unveiled a seriously impressive glow-up, which now incorporates a cafe counter slinging Campos Coffee alongside an extended gourmet grocery line that includes everything from fresh flowers through to Cape Grim beef, Monday Distillery’s range of no-alc sips, primo produce and even a dedicated fromagerie. Trust us when we say this is a one-stop-entertaining shop.
Quince Fromagerie & Cellar, Currumbin: If you’re yet to make a pilgrimage to Quince, let this be the kick up the keister for you to do so. An epicurean wonderland, this dedicated fromagerie forms part of the Cornerstone Stores precinct and features a temperature-controlled cheese room stocked with a mouth-watering selection of European and Australian cheeses, alongside a mouth-watering selection of charcuterie and antipasto goods. The best part? You can pick up a bottle of wine (or gin) while you’re at it.
Golosi Food Emporium, Burleigh Heads: Golosi Emporium on Burleigh’s James Street is filled to the brim with delightful deli faves. The shelves are lined with a tempting array of local and international artisan products including cured meats, antipasti, cheeses, dips, fresh baked bread and much, much more. This is undoubtedly one of those places you go in for one thing and walk out with a bag full of deliciousness.
Rob Roy Deli & Drinks, Tweed Heads: One for the border dwellers, this Tweed Heads local is jam-packed with interesting wines, smallgoods, pantry staples, ready-made meals as well as an array of cheeses, salt rubs, pickles, preserves and picnic essentials that uphold the venue’s strong ethos of supporting local farms and producers. Rob Roy Deli & Drinks has delivered a fresh-faced bottle shop concept that is geared towards making the whole experience accessible, approachable and, above all, enjoyable.
Harris Farm Markets, Isle of Capri: If you’re yet to discover the joy that is Harris Farm Markets, consider this your invitation. An enormous 1500-sqm market that is bursting at the seams with the freshest fruit and veg from local farmers, a grocery section brimming with boutique and locally made products, and – the pièce de résistance – a dedicated cheese boardwalk that features more than 400 cheeses (not a typo). The market also features a premium nose-to-tail butcher as well as a sustainable fishmonger. No trip here will be complete without a pit stop at Bread Social, which offers an impossible-to-resist array of baked goods for you to devour daily.
The Deli by Pepé, Palm Beach: This restaurant-meets-deli concept is not only a go-to for authentic pizzas and pastas, it also doubles as an Italian deli with a gleaming cabinet full of favourites like mortadella, salami and prosciutto sliced to order, as well as Italian olives and small goods they import direct from Italy. There’s also a collection of local cheeses, handmade sweet treats and take-home packs of Pepé’s popular fresh pasta and house-made sauces. If you’re the DIY kind, the pizza packs are a must! You’re guaranteed to win at date night with a little help from Pepé.
Meda Deli, Mermaid Beach: If you take your cheese boarding seriously, Meda Deli has you covered. The venue is the work of Damian Dzuderija, who has spent more than three decades in the food industry. This store is a who’s who of the products and brands that are widely regarded as the best in their respective fields. You won’t find 20 different varieties of the same product lining the shelves, rather, it offers one, but it’s the only one you will need. As for the cheese, well this is the exception to the ‘one of everything’ rule as there’s a plethora of cheese to please every taste. Update: Meda Deli is closed for renovations and will reopen in March 2024.
Manolas Bros, Isle of Capri: If you’re looking for the convenience of a ready-made grazing box, Manolas Bros has you covered. From hard and soft cheeses to colourful antipasti and the charcuterie cabinet of your dreams, Manolas Bros is a go-to for all of your Greek and Italian-style deli needs. Grab a basket and take your time to browse the cabinets and grocery shelves – one thing is for certain, you won’t leave empty-handed. It’s simply impossible.
The Standard Market Company, Southport: Whether you’re in need of a slab of gooey brie and a tub of olives for a last-minute cheese board, are preparing a charcuterie spread for the masses, or you just want some butter and a few thin slices of salami to take home to layer on a sandwich, this resident delicatessen at The Brickworks on Ferry Road is a haven for all of your needs – no matter how big or small. There’s also a fine selection of grocery items, pantry favourites and condiments to accompany your deli delights.
Jones & Co Grocer, Southport: More than just a corner store, this large format IGA Jones & Co Grocer boasts a wide range of fresh produce and groceries, sushi station, gourmet butcher and a dedicated health and wellness department. If you’re planning a special meal or just like trying new recipes with exotic ingredients, you’ll be happy to hear that Jones & Co also stocks a wide range of hard-to-find delicacies alongside the in-house bakery and patisserie. Perhaps the biggest drawcard for local lactose lovers is the walk-in fromagerie that stocks more than 500 varieties of cheese from around the world. Grocer or heaven? We’re not quite sure.
James St Deli, Burleigh Heads: Doubling as a butcher, James St Deli is a local favourite for smallgoods – think wood-smoked cabana, whole leg hams, salamis and more. The deli offering is underlined by a wide range of pantry staples, like spices, rubs, relishes, chutney, marinades and everything you’d need to nail your home-cooked feasts.
Eurofood Deli, Nerang: This small but mighty delicatessen is loaded with popular and hard-to-get European pantry products, as well as deli meats from leberkase to liverwurst. There’s fresh Russian pirozhki on the daily, as well pelmeni, borsch salads, sauerkraut, poppyseed rolls and more – it’s best to order ahead so you don’t miss out.
Ambarella Fine Foods, Burleigh Waters: Alongside its cafe, fresh-produce section, butcher and bakery, Ambarella also features a dedicated deli with side selection of cheeses, sliced-to-order cured meats, fresh dips, antipasto products from around the world. There’s also pantry essentials like quality oils and vinegars, Swiss chocolate, pastas and more to fill your trolley with.
Grobnik European Delicatessen, Ashmore: This family-run delicatessen specialises in high-quality European smallgoods, with everything from smoky kabana to German bratwurst, Spanish chorizo and cheesy kransky gracing the jam-packed cabinet of deli goods. If you haven’t tried Grobnik’s beef jerky, you haven’t lived.
Okay, so while this list focusses on deli grocers, it would be remiss not to mention Junior’s Deli in Mudgeeraba, Joe’s Deli in Broadbeach and Janus Deli in Molendinar, that sling some of the best tasting deli sandwiches getting around. Have we missed your favourite deli? Give us your tip by emailing [email protected].
